Shot blast machine

ABSTRACT

The shot blast machine having a projector with an impeller includes the impeller which is made of a high abrasion-resistant rubber. Therefore, it can increase the durability without damage of the impeller and projectile; it can use the projectile with high grindability, with small particle and light gravity; and it can be used at any condition including extreme cold, normal temperature, wet condition and the like.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a shot blast machine with a projector having an impeller which burrs molded goods, treats the surface of molded goods and removes crud attached to the surface of works.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The conventional shot blast machine is used the projector with the impeller which is made of metal material.

For this reason, when the projectile strikes the impeller during blasting, the projectile damages. In addition, since the impeller damages when the projectile with high grindability is used, it is impossible to use it.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a shot blast machine that can increase the durability without damage of the impeller and projectile. It is another object of the present invention to provide a shot blast machine that can use the projectile with high grindability, with small particle and light gravity or the like. It is still another object of the present invention to provide a shot blast machine which can be used at any condition including extreme cold, normal temperature, wet condition and the like.

The present invention is understood to encompass embodiments which include all or only a portion of the above objects, features and advantages which, unless recited in claims defining the invention, are understood not to limit interpretation of such claims. The above, and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals designate the same elements.

It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only, and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view showing a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view taken along a line of 3-3 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross sectional view of a projector showing a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view taken along a line of 5-5 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an explanation view of a nozzle showing a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an explanation view of an operation showing a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is an explanation view of an operation showing a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a front view showing a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view taken along a line of 11-11 in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is an explanation view of an operation showing a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a schematic explanation view showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is an explanation view of an operation showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a front view showing a fifth embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 16 is a cross sectional view taken along a line of 16-16 in FIG. 15.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described in more detail below referring to the accompanying drawings.

An understanding of the present invention may be best gained by reference FIGS. 1 to 7. Reference numeral 1 is a shot blast machine which burrs molded goods, treats the surface of molded goods and removes crud attached to the surface of works. The shot blast machine 1 is comprised of a case body 2; a table 4, as a supporting tool supports a work 3, installed into an upper portion of the case body 2, forming of a perforated plate or mesh body; an openable door 5 attached to the case body 2 capable of taking the work 3 in and out the table 4; a picking device 7 with a vibrating screen, providing at a lower position of the table 4 in the case body 2 through the hopper 6; a liquid tank 8 provided liquid including water, cleaning liquid or the like sorted out by the picking device 7 therein, a projectile tank 9 provided the projectile therein, a small dust tank 10 provided small dusts therein, and a large dust tank 11 provided large dusts therein; a mixing tank 13 having a mixer 12 which mixes the liquid from the liquid tank 8 and projectile from the projectile tank 9; a projector 15 having a impeller 14 made of a high abrasion-resistant rubber, installing in the upper portion of the case body 2 capable of blasting out the liquid mixed the projectile to the table 4; a supplying channel 18 interposed a slurry pump 17 therebetween, the pump 17 sucks the liquid mixed the projectile in the mixing tank 13 and introduces in a nozzle 16 positioned into the projector 15, a pump 19 which showers the liquid of the liquid tank 8 to the work 3 supported by the table 4; and a shower device 21 having a shower nozzle 20.

The projector 15 further includes a wheel cover 23 having an opening 22 provided at a lower portion thereof and forming a nozzle-insertion hole 24 at a wall surface of a side of suction and inserting fixedly the nozzle 16; the impeller 14 attached into the wheel cover 23 rotatably, being made of high abrasion-resistant rubber; and a high-speed motor 25 attached to the wheel cover 23, capable of making the impeller 14 to drive at a high speed. In addition, the impeller 14 further includes one side plate 27 attached to a drive shaft 26 of the high-speed motor 25, forming in the shape of a disc; a plurality of blades 28 fixed to a part except for a center portion of the side plate 27 in a radial pattern; and other side plate 30 fixed so as to cover the blades 28, having a nozzle-insertion hole 29 formed at a part corresponding to the nozzle-insertion hole 24 of the wheel cover 23.

The above-mentioned shot blast machine 1 uses water as a liquid when it removes the weld flashes of the molded goods. In addition, it uses washing water when it removes the cruds attached at the surface of the work.

When it is performed to blast, the projector 15, pump 19, slurry pump 17 and picking device 7 are driven after the work 3 is put on the table 4. Thereby the liquid mixed the projectile of the mixing tank 13 is blasted from the nozzle 16 after it passes through the supplying channel 18 by the slurry pump 17. The blasted liquid including the projectile is blasted to the work 3 on the table 4 by the impeller 14, which rotates at high speed, of the projector 15.

In this way, since the projectile of the blasted liquid strikes the rotating impeller 14 with the high abrasion-resistant rubber, it can prevent the damage as in the case of the conventional metallic impeller, and the blasting from the impeller 14 can be carried out as in the case of the conventional metallic impeller.

The liquid mixed the projectile blasted out by the projector 15 is supplied to the picking device 7 with the removed objects from the work through the hopper 6, and the large dust, projectile, small dust are introduced into the large-dust tank 11, projectile tank 9, small-dust tank 10 and liquid tank 8 respectively after they are selected by the liquid. The liquid supplied into the liquid tank 8 is supplied into the shower nozzle 20 by the mixing tank 13 and pump 19 of the shower device 21, and it is showered to the work 3 on the table 4.

In this way, the liquid mixed the projectile and liquid which is showered are circulated and used for blasting.

Other embodiments of the present invention will now be described referring to FIGS. 8 to 16. Through the drawings of the embodiments, like components are denoted by like numerals as of the first embodiment and will not be further explained in great detail.

A second embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 and is distinguished from the first embodiment by the fact that a high abrasion-resistant rubber sheet 39 is fixed to an inner wall surface of the wheel cover 23 by adhering, coating and the like in order to blast the liquid mixed the projectile to the work 3 on the table from the side and upper portion of the case body 2; and the projector 15 is replaced from two projectors 15A, 15A which adhered or coated a high abrasion-resistant rubber 41 on a surface of an impeller body 40 made of metal. A shot blast machine 1A in this way according to the third embodiment has similar advantages to that according to the first embodiment.

A third embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 10 to 12 and is distinguished from the first embodiment by the fact that a belt conveyor 31 as a supporting device is used, forming in the shape of a L-letter, capable of holding the work 3 and agitating it. A shot blast machine 1B with the belt conveyor 31 according to the third embodiment has similar advantages to that according to the first embodiment.

In addition, reference numerals 32, 33 and 34 are revolving shafts which are arranged at the case body 2 so as to form in the shape of a L-letter; reference numeral 35 is belt which is laid on the revolving shaft 32, 33 and 34 so as to formed in the shape of L-letter, having a plurality of through holes 36; reference numerals 37, 37 are guide rollers which are attached to the case body 2, pressing the both edges of the belt 35 positioned between the revolving shafts 32 and 34; and reference numeral 38 is a reversible motor attached at the case body 2, making the revolving shaft 33 to rotate in the forward and backward directions.

A fourth embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 and is distinguished from the first embodiment by the fact that the liquid and projectile which are selected by the picking device 7 are stored automatically by empty weight of the mixing tank 13 with the mixer 12, and the liquid which overflows from the mixing tank 13 is supplied into the shower device 21. A shot blast machine 1C in this way according to the fourth embodiment has similar advantages to that according to the first embodiment.

A fifth embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 and is distinguished from the first embodiment by the fact that the projectile which are selected by the picking device 7 is stored into a projectile tank 42, and the projectile is sucked from the projectile tank 42 by a sucking hose 43 and is supplied into the projector 15. A shot blast machine 1D in this way according to the fifth embodiment may be composed.

As set forth above, the advantages of the invention are as follows:

-   (1) For the shot blast machine with the projector having the     impeller, since the shot blast machine uses the impeller which is     formed of the high abrasion-resistant rubber, it can prevent the     damage of the projectile when it is blasted and strikes the     impeller.

Therefore, it can improve the durability of the projectile, and it is possible to manufacture it at a relatively low cost.

-   (2) As discussed above, it can reduce the noise which is produced     when the projectile strikes the impeller. -   (3) As discussed above, when the projectile with high grindability     is used, it can be used without the damage of the impeller.

Therefore, the different kinds of the projectile are used widely, and it can be used for the different kinds of work widely.

-   (4) As discussed above, since it can be reduced the weight of the     impeller, it is possible to rotate at high speed.

Therefore, the projectile can be blasted out in efficiency, and the projectile with small particles and light gravity can be used.

-   (5) Claim 2 has the same effect as the above (1) to (3). -   (6) Claim 3 has the same effect as the above (1) to (4), the     projector with the impeller blasts out the liquid with the     projectile widely, and it can burr molded goods, treats the surface     of molded goods and removes crud attached to the surface of works. -   (7) As discussed above, since the liquid mixed the projectile can be     supplied into the projector with the impeller by the pump, its     structure is simple, and it can be performed to carry the liquid     mixed the projectile smoothly. -   (8) As discussed above, since the liquid mixed the projectile can be     supplied into the projector with the impeller by the pump and can be     blasted out to the work by the projector so as to remove the weld     flash of the molded goods, it is not necessary to accelerate the     speed and increase pressure for the carrying of the liquid mixed the     projectile to the projector, its structure is simple, it can carry     it certainly. -   (9) Claim 4 has the same effect as the above (1) to (7), and the     projector has a simple structure and it is easy to manufacture. In     addition, since the slurry pump is used, it can supply the liquid     with the projectile that has staying power in efficiency.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention is utilized in the industry to manufacture the shot blast machine mainly. 

1.-4. (canceled)
 5. A blasting machine comprising: a case body; a support surface within the case that supports a workpiece; an impeller assembly comprising an impeller wheel cover, a nozzle, and an impeller directing slurry towards the support surface; at least one showerhead showering said support surface with recirculated liquid; a vibrating screen receiving debris and liquid runoff and from the workpiece and separating projectile from the debris, the vibrating screen passing therethrough the liquid runoff; a projectile receiving tank for receiving and storing the separated projectile; a liquid storing tank for receiving and storing the liquid runoff; a slurry mixing tank for receiving and mixing projectile and liquid respectively from the projectile receiving tank and the liquid storing tank and for forming the slurry; a slurry pump for pumping and recirculating the slurry from the slurry mixing tank to the nozzle; and a liquid pump for pumping and recirculating said liquid from said liquid receiving tank to said showerhead; first connecting means connecting the liquid storage tank to the liquid pump and the liquid pump to the at least one showerhead; second connecting means connecting the slurry mixing tank to the slurry pump and the slurry pump to the nozzle, said second connecting means being separate from said first connecting means.
 6. A blasting machine comprising: a case body; a support surface within the case that supports a workpiece; an impeller assembly comprising an impeller wheel cover, a nozzle that directs a slurry of liquid and projectile away from said support surface and towards said wheel cover, and an impeller directing the slurry towards the support surface; at least one showerhead showering said support surface with recirculated liquid; a vibrating screen receiving debris and liquid runoff and from the workpiece and separating the projectile from the debris, the vibrating screen passing therethrough the liquid runoff; a slurry mixing tank for receiving and mixing projectile and a portion of the liquid runoff and for forming the slurry; and means for transporting and recirculating the slurry from the slurry mixing tank to the nozzle including first connecting means connecting the slurry mixing tank to the nozzle; and a liquid pump for pumping and recirculating another portion of said liquid runoff to said showerhead; second connecting means connecting the liquid pump to the at least one showerhead; and said second connecting means being separate from said first connecting means.
 7. The blasting machine of claim 6 wherein said means for transporting the slurry comprises a slurry pump.
 8. The blasting machine of claim 7 further comprising: a liquid receiving tank for receiving and storing said another portion of said liquid runoff; said pump pumping and recirculating said liquid from said liquid receiving tank to said showerhead.
 9. The blasting machine of claim 8 further comprising: a projectile receiving tank for receiving and storing the separated projectile; and said slurry mixing tank for receiving and mixing projectile and liquid respectively from the projectile receiving tank and the liquid storing tank and for forming the slurry.
 10. The blasting machine of claim 7 comprising a plurality of impeller assemblies directing the slurry towards the support surface.
 11. The blasting machine of claim 7 wherein said support surface is a stationary support surface.
 12. The blasting machine of claim 7 wherein the support surface comprises: a guide roller adapted for receiving the workpiece therein; a plurality of rolling conveyors disposed about said guide roller and connected to said guide roller so that rolling of said conveyors rolls said guide roller; and means for rolling said rolling conveyors.
 13. The blasting machine of claim 7 wherein the recirculated liquid consists of an aqueous solution.
 14. The blasting machine of claim 7 wherein the impeller and wheel cover are lined with or formed from abrasion-resistant rubber.
 15. The blasting machine of claim 6 wherein said means for transporting the slurry comprises a suction hose.
 16. The blasting machine of claim 12 wherein said means for rolling said rolling conveyors comprises a motor. 